Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcomed
Father Woods welcomes the Sisters of Saint Joseph at Port Adelaide, 23 June 1867. On Tuesday, 25 June 1867, the following news item appeared in the Adelaide Advertiser. While the style of writing is not that of Father Woods himself, there is no doubt that he would have provided the information contained in it. Maybe, […]
A New Rule for a New Time
Father Julian Woods: A New Rule for a New Time. Today, as I reflected on a recent message I received from Sr Monica, I found myself looking back over the past 160 years to Julian Woods as a young priest in charge of one of the most isolated parishes in South Australia. His bishop had […]
First Tasmanian Foundation, Westbury 1887
24 May – a significant day for Sisters of Saint Joseph in Tasmania May 24 has been a significant date in Catholic history since 1815 when Pope Pius VII declared it to be the feast day of Our Lady Help of Christians—marking the date of his release from imprisonment by Napoleon during the French occupation […]
First steps towards the Foundation of the Order
Father Julian Tenison Woods: First steps towards foundation—little did they then dream On 19 March 1866, Julian Woods and Mary MacKillop took their first tentative steps towards the foundation of the Institute [1] of Saint Joseph. Mary, who had charge of the catholic school in Penola, indicated her commitment by wearing a black dress. Years […]
Walking in Two Worlds: Ancient Cultures and New Settlers
New Zealanders expressed both grief and unity at the time of the Christchurch tragedy; they showed the world that humanity can rise after terrible events They honoured the dead, fostered unity and demonstrated the truth of the inclusive ‘us’. Their Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, embraced the whole of the nation’s heritage and culture: of those […]
St Mary MacKillop School Wallaroo
You’re invited to read a speech by Helen Duke rsj delivered at St Mary MacKillop School, Wallaroo, South Australia – Australia’s longest continuing Josephite School 1869-2019. Good afternoon and thank you for this opportunity to say a few words on this special occasion, your sesquicentenary. Wallaroo was very familiar to Mary MacKillop, her footprints would […]
St Joseph’s Day Message from Sr Monica
Greetings on the feast of Saint Joseph. May this feast day provide each one with the opportunity to live in the humble spirit of Joseph as people called to make a difference in our world. Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods chose Saint Joseph to be the Patron of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Four
The last letter in this series was dictated by Fr Julian Tenison Woods on 13 March 1889. It reads as if maybe he knew it would probably be his last effort to his dear friend, William Archer. The tone of the letter is one of resignation to his state of health with little hope of […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Three
This short letter, written on 22 March 1888 from Fr Julian Tenison Woods in Sydney to William Archer in Melbourne is not in his handwriting. Anne Bulger has penned his words, although Fr Julian did attach his signature and love and blessings to Mrs Archer and Gracie. The letter is accompanied by the first instalment […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Two
Fr Julian Tenison Woods’ letter to William Archer on 3 January 1888 from his home in Elizabeth Street, Sydney, was probably not penned by himself. However, he did add his own signature. The reason for his not writing himself was that a serious deterioration in his health had left him an invalid, unable to use […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-One
This month’s letter is the only one in this collection that is from William Archer to Fr Julian Tenison Woods. In it Archer welcomes Fr Woods back to Australia after his sojourn in the Far East. It was written from his home in Melbourne on the feast of Corpus Christi, 1886, and his words are […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty
This letter, dated 2 November 1885, from “Father Julian” to “My dear Sir William”, was written from the mountains behind Osaka in Japan. Fr Julian Tenison Woods had retreated here to indulge his love of botany, geology and solitude. He seemed to be quite intrigued with Japan, its houses and people and was only too […]